The Democratic Republic of Congo's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a major setback after the national team was forced to cancel a key training camp due to an Ebola outbreak in the country.
Training Camp Cancelled in Kinshasa
DR Congo had planned to begin its pre-tournament preparations with a training camp in Kinshasa, but those plans have been scrapped entirely. According to Politico, players who were expected to return home for the camp will instead remain abroad and begin preparations in Europe.
A team spokesperson confirmed the decision was taken due to health restrictions linked to the outbreak, adding that the squad's international training plans remain unchanged. The cancellation affects what was supposed to be a key stage of their World Cup build-up, including a public training session and departure to Europe before heading to the United States.
FIFA and US Authorities Tighten Monitoring
FIFA has confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with global health authorities and football administrators. The United States has also imposed strict entry restrictions on foreign nationals who have recently travelled through DR Congo, citing public health concerns.
Under current rules, anyone who has been in the country within a 21-day window may face quarantine or entry restrictions, while visa processing has been temporarily suspended for some applicants. This has created uncertainty not only for players but also for supporters planning to travel for the tournament, with many facing potential delays or denial of entry.
Officials have stressed that most of DR Congo's squad is already based in Europe, which reduces immediate travel complications for players, but concerns remain for delegation members and returning staff.
DR Congo World Cup Plans Continue Despite Uncertainty
Despite the disruption, DR Congo still plans to arrive in Houston ahead of their opening World Cup fixture against Portugal on June 17. They are also scheduled to face Colombia in Guadalajara and Uzbekistan in Atlanta as part of their group-stage campaign.
FIFA has reiterated that it remains in close coordination with the CDC, U.S. Department of State, and other international health bodies to ensure the tournament proceeds safely, as reported by BBC Sport.
The situation has added another layer of complexity to an already challenging build-up for the expanded 48-team World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Organisers are now balancing health security, immigration restrictions, and global logistics, all while ensuring participating teams can prepare under safe conditions.
Nigeria Gets Unexpected World Cup Lifeline
In a related development, Nigeria's hopes of featuring at the World Cup have taken an unexpected turn after new developments involving DR Congo and fresh travel restrictions imposed by the United States. The Super Eagles had earlier missed out on qualification after DR Congo narrowly edged them in a dramatic playoff final that was later clouded by controversy over player eligibility.
